I. We can be “confident” in God’s good work.

A. This could apply to the “church” as established by God.

3. Jesus will receive glory from the church through all ages (Ephesians 3:21).

4. Jesus will ultimately assemble “The Assembly of the First Born” in heaven (Hebrews 12:23).

5. Jesus does not mention the church at Philippi in Revelation 2 and 3.

B. This probably applies to individual church members (and all the Twice-Born).

1. Paul is “persuaded” in God “love” work

a. Romans 8:38-39 -- For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. Paul “knows” that God can “keep” us forever

a. 2 Timothy 1:12 -- Nevertheless I am notashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

3. Old Testament saints were “persuaded” and “embraced” the promises

a. Hebrews 13:11 -- These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.

4. John teaches that we can “know” and be “assured”

a. 1 John 3:19 -- We know that we are of the truth, and shall assure our hearts before him.

a. Ephesians 4:24 -- Put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

a. Called according to His purpose

b. Predestined to be conformed to Christ’s image

3. Created with full glorification promised

a. Romans 8:30 -- Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

4. Created to receive a guaranteed inheritance ()

a. 1 Peter 1:3-5 -- Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

13. John 17:24 – Jesus’ request that we would be with him and see His glory

C. Passages that appear to teach otherwise are easily dealt with.

1. Hebrews 6:4-6 describes one who has “tasted” but “withdrawn.” The classic example of this is Judas Iscariot.

2. Acts 8:13-24 relates the story of Simon who “believed” but then demonstrated his lack of salvation by wanting to buy the power of the Holy Spirit from Peter. Peter said: “Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.”

3. Matthew 7:21-23 records one of the more sober condemnations given by the Lord Jesus. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.

4. Those who are genuinely “twice-born” both know and show their salvation. Those who are not “work iniquity.”

5. 2 Peter 1:4-9 insists that, although God has provided everything we need to grow in righteousness, if we do not grow, we can arrive at a condition where we will have “forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.” It is possible to lose the assurance of our salvation – but not the salvation itself.

III. The purpose for our Salvation being based on God’s creative power is revealed in the Scripture.

A. Creating expresses the direct will of God – no human agency possible.

1. Colossians 1:16-20 -- By him were all things created -- By him all things consist (or are saved) By him all things are reconciled

2. Hebrews 1:2 -- He made the worlds -- He is upholding all things -- He becomes heir of all things

3. Romans 11:36 -- For of Him . . And Through Him …And to him … are all things

B. Creating eliminated excuses for all humanity in all circumstances.

1. Romans 1:20 -- For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead: so that they are without excuse.

2. Acts 17:29 -- Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device.

C. Creating gave foundation to the everlasting gospel.

1. Revelation 14:6-7 -- And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heave, having he everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people. Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

2. Colossians 1:23 -- If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister

D. Creating displayed the power of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1. Colossians 1:16-18 -- For by him were all things created, that are in heaven and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him. And he is before all things, and be him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead: that in all things he might have the preeminence.

2. John 10:37-38 -- If I do not the works of my Father, believe me not. But if I do, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know, and believe, that the Father is in me, and I in him.

E. Creating gave authority to the message of Jesus Christ.

1. John 1:1-4 -- In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made what was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men.

2. John 1:11-14 -- He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father) full of grace and truth

F. Creating is what God does when He gives new life.

1. Ephesians 2:8-10 -- For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

2. 2 Corinthians 5:17 -- Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new

1 Corinthians 15:55-58
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?
The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.